Arrangement for controllably feeding connected bag elements to filling or like apparatus

ABSTRACT

A device for controllably feeding connected bag elements to filling apparatus comprising: a horizontally disposed first bar or elongated member, and a second such bar extending diagonally downwardly from the forward end of the first bar such that the bars open angularly toward the apparatus In operation, the bags are initially threaded top wise over the horizontal bar and then directed downwardly underneath and around the diagonal bar, and therefrom directed to the apparatus. The device is taught for usage with apparatus which mounts the bags as they are received, in a curtain-and-rodlike fashion by means of an open end loop located at the top end of each bag.

United States Patent Inventor JacquesLMarchand Clifton, NJ.

Apr. 16, 1969 June 8, 1971 The Dow Chemical Company Midland, Mich.

App]. No, Filed Patented Assignee ARRANGEMENT FOR CONTROLLABLY FEEDINGCONNECTED BAG ELEMENTS TO FILLING OR LIKE APPARATUS PrimaryExaminer-Theron E. Condon Assistant ExaminerE. F. DesmondAttorneys-Griswold and Burdick, B. M. Halldorson and R. G.

Waterman ABSTRACT: A device for controllably feeding connected bagelements to filling apparatus comprising: a horizontally disposed firstbar or elongated member, and a second such bar extending diagonallydownwardly from the forward end of the first bar such that the bars openangularly toward the apparatus In operation, the bags are initiallythreaded top wise over the horizontal bar and then directed downwardlyunderneath and around the diagonal bar, and therefrom directed to theapparatus. The device is taught for usage with apparatus which mountsthe bags as they are received, in a curtain-androdlike fashion by meansof an open end loop located at the top end of each bag.

PATENIEU JUN 8 I914 SHEET 1 UF 2 INVENTOR. dacquesdMarc/qa d ATTORNEYPATENTEBJUN 8197! 3583127 INVENTOR.

MW. M

HTI'OR/VEY ARRANGEMENT FOlR CONTROLLABLY FEEDING (IONNEECTED BAGELEMENTS TO lFlLLlNG OR LIKE APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Toeffectively service small volume packaging establishments such as thosefrequently found in the citrus fruit packaging industries, it isfrequently desirable to provide a packaging system wherein thecomplexity of the same is maintained at a minimal trouble-free level. Tothis end, it is oftentimes possible, for example, to eliminate or cutback the number of functions or steps that are required of the fillingapparatus employed. Specifically, in filling operations where the bagsare delivered to the apparatus in chain form, the bags can be designedto part easily after filling, and without requiring the need for aspecial cutting station or the like to perform such a function. Problemsare encountered, however, in that such lightly connected bags tend toprematurely part from each other, thereby ruining them for use in such apackaging system. For example, the bags when wound on a roll as is thenormal mode for their storage and delivery, are subjected to certainwinding tensions which require the connection between the bags to be ata certain minimal level.

A more appropriate arrangement for such a system is to ship the bags ina folded pile, thereby avoiding the indicated winding tensions.

in this latter arrangement and as opposed to bag roll stock, no realinitial alignment is provided for controlled feeding of the bags tofilling or like apparatus which is to perform or react on such bags.

It is a primary object of the present invention, therefore, to provideimproved methods and devices for controllably feeding bags to fillingapparatus and the like.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such methodsand devices wherein the same are applicable for usage in a packagingsystem where the bags are fed to fill apparatus from a folded pile.

SUMMARY OF THE. INVENTION Briefly then, the present invention concerns adevice for controllably feeding bags in chain form to filling or likeapparatus. The device can comprise a horizontally arranged top or firstbar, and a second or diagonal bar extending downwardly and inwardly fromthe forward end of the top bar with the two bars opening angularlytoward the apparatus. The chain of bags is initially threaded over thetop bar and then directed downwardly underneath and around the diagonalbar, and therefrom directed to the apparatus. Normally, the two barswill be at an angular spacing of about 45. The device is taught foremployment in combination with an apparatus having a mandrel at thereceiving end thereof, and in a packaging system wherein each bagincludes an open ended loop adjacent its top end. The mandrelcomplements and assists such a device in obtaining precise bag controlby receiving such bags in curtain-and-rodlike fashion through the looppositioned at the top end of each bag. Such a device in combination withthe aforedescribed packaging system and mandrel concept permits feedingof bags to filling apparatus from a folded pile. Nevertheless, theinvention can also beneficially be employed for use in systems of thetype employing bag roll stock.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention and its details ofconstruction will be apparent from a consideration of the followingspecification and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. ll is a side view of apparatus including a feeding deviceconstructed according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus of HO. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the feeding device portion of theapparatus of H6. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a chain of connected bag elementsconstructed for usage with the apparatus and packaging systems taughtherein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularlyto the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a feeding device 10 mountedadjacent the infeed section or forward end 11 ofa filling apparatus 12.

Device 10 includes a generally horizontally disposed elongated member orfirst or top bar 14, and a second elongated member of diagonal bar 16extending downwardly and inwardly from adjacent the forwardmost part 15of top bar 14. As will be described more fully hereinafter, bars 14 and16 open angularly toward apparatus 10 and are normally angularly spacedfrom each other at approximately 45".

Device 10 further includes a first horizontally disposed support bar 18depending rearwardly from adjacent forwardmost part 15 of top bar 14,and a crossbar l9 connecting together bars 141 and 18 adjacent forwardend 11 of apparatus 12. Crossbar 1! is fixedly mounted at each end 21and 23 by stationary supports 25 and 27, respectively. A secondvertically disposed support bar 20 extends from the lower terminatingend 29 of diagonal bar 16, and generally upwardly therefrom and connectsto end 21 of crossbar 19, as is best shown in FIG. 3.

At its forward end 11, apparatus 12 includes a horizontally mountedmandrel 22 which is connected by means of arm 24 to a hopper or fillmechanism 26. Mandrel 22 at its top edge 31 mounts a cutting means orknife 28. Opposed continuous belts 30 and 32 extend from a regionintermediate of mandrel 22 and hopper 26, as is best shown in FIG. 2,and therefrom pass snugly about the opposite sides 34 and 36,respectively, of hopper 26. Belts 30 and 32 are tightly squeezedtogether at their forward end 38 by pulleys 40 and 42, and at regionsimmediately fore and aft of hopper 26 by pulleys 44 and 46, and 48 and50, respectively.

In operation, connected bag elements 52, as shown separately at FIG. 4,as normally delivered for filling in a cardboard or like shippingcontainer 541 (see FIG. 1). In the preferred mode of operation, thecontainer 54 including the bag elements 52 stored therein in a foldedpile, is placed beneath device 10, and the top portion of the containercut away. The bags 52 are then fed from container 54 upwardly and aroundtop bar 14 and thereafter directed downwardly to and underneath andaround diagonal bar 16. From diagonal bar 16, the bags are directed incontrolled vertical alignment to apparatus 12 for filling.

Referring now to FIG. 4, each bag 52 includes closed bottom and top ends56 and 52, respectively, and two sides 60 and 62 closed except at theiruppermost extent 64 and 66. The closed top 58 construction incombination with the open uppermost extents 64 and 66 of bags 52, formsan open-ended loop 67 disposed across the top end 58 of each bag. Bags52 can be formed by cross sealing tubular material at spaced intervalsas denoted by seals 68. A line of weakness such as perforations 70extends along the midregion of seals 68, and therefrom upwardly throughtop ends 58 of bags 52.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, bags 52 as constructed generallyaccording to the principles as indicated in the description of FIG. 4,are particularly adapted for use in combination with apparatus 12including a mandrel 22 protruding outwardly from the forward end 11thereof. Specifically, from diagonal bar 16 of device 10, bags 52 arereceived by mandrel 22 which mounts the same in a curtain-and-rodlikefashion through the loop 67 positioned at top end 58 of each bag. Frommandrel 22, top ends 58 are gripped or squeezed between belts 30 and 32,and bags 52 directed to hopper 26 via knife 28. Knife 28 longitudinallyparts loops 67 such that fill openings 72 formed between the two partededges 63 and 65 of the loop, and the two closed sides 60 and 62 of eachbag. Thereafter, parted edges 63 and 65 are plowed open by the leadingor forward part 74 of hopper 2.6, and a product fill 73 dropped fromhopper 26 through fill openings 72. The bags are then directed to asealing station (not shown) for purposes of forming a closure sealacross the top ends 58 of each filled bag 52. Perforations 70 permit thebags to be manually or otherwise parted from each other such that aspecial cutting station or the like to perform such a function need notbe required of apparatus 12.

Referring now more specifically to device 10, the angular spacingbetween bars 14 and 16 is normally in a range between about 40 to about50. At theoretical conditions, an angle of 45 would be most appropriate.However, in actual running conditions, it has been found that bags 52 asthey are filled under hopper 26, round out somewhat along the sides, andsince the bags are connected together, oftentimes tend to affect thealignment of the bags being directed to hopper 26 from mandrel 22.Accordingly, for some operations it will be found that optimum runningconditions are obtained by slanting the mandrel (and arm 24) a fewdegrees with respect to the horizontal plane. Usually, such adjustmentof mandrel 22 will not encompass more than a 2 to 4 shift. Toaccommodate adjustments to mandrel 22, the angle a between bars 14 and16 can be adjusted accordingly such that bags 52 are fed in an alignedfashion to the mandrel.

While the present invention has been described in particularity asregards to the use of feeding device in combination with packagingsystem including connected bag elements having loops 67 disposedadjacent top ends 58 of each bag, and further in combination withapparatus including a mandrel 22 of like mounting means, it can bereadily appreciated that the use of such feeding device can be incombination with more conventional packaging systems and apparatus.Conceivably, for example, the bags shown could be replaced with those ofthe conventional open-top construction having other top end supportingmeans, and the mandrel replaced by other rcceiv ing means such as a pairof vertically disposed rolls for receiving the bags from diagonal member16.

While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown forthe purpose of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

l. A device for controllably feeding a chain of connected bag elementsto filling apparatus comprising a first elongated member, a secondelongated member extending angularly with respect to the axis of saidfirst member, said first and second members opening toward said fillingapparatus, said apparatus including means for receiving said chain ofconnected bag elements from said feeding device, said elementscomprising bags having supporting means adjacent the top end thereof,and said receiving means receiving said chain by way of said supportingmeans.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said first member is generallyhorizontally disposed.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the angle between said first and secondmembers is approximately 45.

4. The device of claim I wherein said receiving means comprises amandrel.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said mandrel and first member are bothgenerally horizontally disposed, said first member being disposed in theplane of or upwardly of said mandrel.

6. A method of feeding a chain of connected bag elements to fillingapparatus comprising:

a. directing said chain generally upwardly to a first member,

and thereafter b. directing said chain around said first member and thendownwardly therefrom to a second member which is angularly disposed withrespect to said first member and with said first and second memberopening generally toward said apparatus, and thereafter c. directingsaid chain around said second member, and

thereafter g d. feeding said chain to said apparatus, said chainpositively received by said apparatus wherein said connected bagelements comprise bags each having supporting means adjacent the top endthereof, and wherein said feeding step comprises directing saidsupporting means of said bags to a receiving means of said apparatuswhereby said bags are received progressively by said receiving meansthrough said supporting means of said bags.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said first member is generallyhorizontally disposed.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the angle between said first and secondmembers is approximately 45.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein said connected bag elements are fed tosaid first member from a folded pile.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein said first and second members includeopposed inner and outer side portions respectively with said inner sideportions defined as facing each other, said elements being directed tosaid outer side portion of said first member and topwise thereover andthen downwardly to said outer portion of said second member andbottomwise thereunder and thereafter to said apparatus.

11. The method of claim 6 wherein said supporting means comprises openended loops.

[2. The method of claim 6 wherein said receiving means comprises amandrel.

1. A device for controllably feeding a chain of connected bag elements to filling apparatus comprising a first elongated member, a second elongated member extending angularly with respect to the axis of said first member, said first and second members opening toward said filling apparatus, said apparatus including means for receiving said chain of connected bag elements from said feeding device, said elements comprising bags having supporting means adjacent the top end thereof, and said receiving means receiving said chain by way of said supporting means.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein saiD first member is generally horizontally disposed.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein the angle between said first and second members is approximately 45*.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein said receiving means comprises a mandrel.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein said mandrel and first member are both generally horizontally disposed, said first member being disposed in the plane of or upwardly of said mandrel.
 6. A method of feeding a chain of connected bag elements to filling apparatus comprising: a. directing said chain generally upwardly to a first member, and thereafter b. directing said chain around said first member and then downwardly therefrom to a second member which is angularly disposed with respect to said first member and with said first and second member opening generally toward said apparatus, and thereafter c. directing said chain around said second member, and thereafter d. feeding said chain to said apparatus, said chain positively received by said apparatus wherein said connected bag elements comprise bags each having supporting means adjacent the top end thereof, and wherein said feeding step comprises directing said supporting means of said bags to a receiving means of said apparatus whereby said bags are received progressively by said receiving means through said supporting means of said bags.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein said first member is generally horizontally disposed.
 8. The method of claim 6 wherein the angle between said first and second members is approximately 45*.
 9. The method of claim 6 wherein said connected bag elements are fed to said first member from a folded pile.
 10. The method of claim 6 wherein said first and second members include opposed inner and outer side portions respectively with said inner side portions defined as facing each other, said elements being directed to said outer side portion of said first member and topwise thereover and then downwardly to said outer portion of said second member and bottomwise thereunder and thereafter to said apparatus.
 11. The method of claim 6 wherein said supporting means comprises open ended loops.
 12. The method of claim 6 wherein said receiving means comprises a mandrel. 